2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Axle Seals

[MarkP]

I have just tore down the whole front end on my 2001 3500 4x4. Before starting this project I am pretty sure i read every post ever concerning replacing the ball joints. Since I am in this far I thought I would replace the axle seals since the drivers side has been leaking for at least a year. I just popped out the drivers side seal and really had a hard time getting it out becauce of a metal cone shaped piece on the outboard side of the seal. I havnt seen this piece in any of the pics I have seen. Is this piece part of the seal or is it a depth stop for the seal? Any help would be greatly appreciated. .

 

[kenny61]

Cone shaped part of metal? I think you ar talking about the guide that some seals have to help get the axle into the seal hole without damaging it

 

[MarkP]

Kenny. I think you might be right. The outboard end of it is thin, then it tapers toward the diameter of the seal, likes its designed to help you get the axle thru the seal without tearing it. Do I remove it or leave it.

Was it part of the original oem seal. will my new seals which are coming from Rock Auto have the metal cone? It sure would be alot easier to clean the axle tubes if it wasnt in there. I have read how some people use a long object such as a broom stick to drive out the seals, well in this case your driving tool will just catch the rubber part and not the metal edge of the seal becauce of the cone shaped guide, stop or whatever it is. I am still not sure if I should try and drive out the metal cone or not??

 

[kenny61]

Sorry Im going off memory and a mental picture... . I am not sure/ cant remember what came out of my truck and am not sure if yours is the same as my 96. But I can tell you I have changed seals with the cone. In the ones that had it it was part of the seal. On my truck I drove out the seal with some thing long... Sorry I cant tell you more. have you tried googling images of your seal part # this may help you see what your getting... also google dana 44 axle seal or whatever axle it is. pirate 4x4 or another offroad site had an in depth write up with pictures on the job

 

[kenny61]

This may or may not help...



Dana 44 Axle Seal Replacement

 

[MarkP]

#ad


I am not sure if this link will work. I dont know how to link something, just copied and pasted it. See the seal 3rd from left. Mine has that cone on it and it is very snug in the axle tube. I have tapped pretty hard on it and it dont want to budge. I am pretty certain the cone is part of the seal. I will let you know in a few if it was a mistake to try and remove it. lol

 

[kenny61]

yeah thats part odf the seal whack it out... .

 

[MarkP]

View attachment 76133



View attachment 76134

Here is a pic of the drivers side seal, I already have taken out the rubber center section. The other pic is of my shop fubared becauce of this project. Wrenches and cuss words have been flying today. Any help with the seal pic and if I need to take out whats left would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kenny61]

lookls like you left the steel part of the seal in there... . Wait till tomorrow when ur parts come that way you can compare...

 

[MarkP]

I just knocked it out, it was part of the seal. What a waste of time agonizing over this deal. Live and learn i guess.

 

[JMcCoy]

I am about to do mine, so your aganizing will be in vain. Did your carrier pop out easily or did you need a spreader? Please keep us posted on your progress. Thany you.

 

[MarkP]

JMcCoy I wouldnt say my carrier just popped out, I had to get my boy ( 14 year old) to help me pry it out. Once I got some good leverage by him holding the ring gear from turning at the top i was able to pry it out by getting inside the ring gear with a litttle pry bar at the bottom and it came out pretty easy. Tonight I am working getting the old ball joints out. Got a everlast balljoint tool from o'reillys and have been cranking away at the bottom balljoint, no progress even with some heat. I am now scratching my head wondering how hard I can crank on this tool before something breaks and goes flying.

 

[KB0OU]

Crank that tool tight and then wack it with a big f###king hammer!!!!!!!!!!!

That is the way I got mine out.

Some good penetrating oil for a while helps and heat.

But, the big hammer did the job.

If ya keep cranking on the tool it will spread.

 

[JMcCoy]

The last set of ball-joints I took apart was from a junk yard ford Dana 60. I needed to heat it up with a torch for about 35 minutes while pressing it and beating it with a large hammer. It's a nighmare. I am not trying to insult anyones intelligence here, but hold the new ball joint up to the old to make sure you are pressing it in the right direction. I should not admit this, but I lost about two hours because of this. Thank you for the information. Please keep us updated on your progress.

 

[MarkP]

The ball joints are in. What a pita. Ended up getting a 10 inch press from my local dodge dealer to press them in, I broke oreillys 6 inch press bushing that goes over the stud, just caved the top of right in. The botom ones went in slick, the uppers I had to reset the press several times, between resets I would straighten out the balljoint, everytime it would want to rock out of square.